How to Become a Professional Dog Walker

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parts

1Getting Your Foot in the Door

2Starting Your Own Business

3Going the Extra Mile

Other Sections

Questions & Answers

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

Walking dogs for a living is more than just pulling on a leash and getting some exercise. You need to be a dog-lover who is in tune with the canine ways and ready to run a business. Yet, it can be a rewarding job for a dedicated person who is well-organized, professional and human and furry client-oriented. Here are some suggestions on how to start your professional dog walking career.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Your Foot in the Door

1. 
   1
   Start dog walking or pet sitting for friends and neighbors. Apart from it being a fantastic way to make some extra cash, you're resume building, too! Ask those in your neighborhood or family friends at even the slightest mention of a vacation or being too busy to walk the dog. And when you do it once successfully, you'll likely be asked to do it again.

   • Mention to your new network that you're considering making this a career, so if they could drop any of their other soon-to-be-departing or dog-owning friends of your interest, that'd be great! Right now is the time for shameless advertisement. In time, you won't have to do it at all.
   • This stage is all about building up a reputation. Whatever you do, don't risk damaging it by abusing your powers. Having the key to someone's home is a serious gesture of trust -- be as responsible to your new clients as you would yourself, your grandma, or the President. That means no throwing parties, no forgetting to feed the dog, and no raiding the refrigerator (unless they allow it, of course).
   • If you have no experience, the apps Rover and Wag will start you off with some basic training on what it takes to walk dogs safely. This should give you the introductory information you need to start out.
   • Once you’ve developed a sense for how dogs react to certain situations, express themselves, and respond to you, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable. Don’t worry about your lack of experience!
2. 
   2
   Join a freelance dog walking app to find clients. These apps function basically the same way as Uber. You sign up, create a profile, and then you’re paired up with dogs near you who need a walk that day. You’re likely going to earn $10-20 an hour most of the time, but if you work during peak hours in a city with a lot of dog owners (like San Francisco, or Chicago), you can earn much more.

   • Rover is only available in the United States and Canada, but it's the “top dog” of the pet care/walking apps. If you’re motivated and you live in a high-demand area, you can earn more than $25 an hour using Rover. They even offer insurance and benefits if you stick with them. You get to set your own rates, so competition can be tight, but more people use Rover than the other apps out there. There are a few other options, though.
   • Wag pays out roughly $15-17 on average. You don’t get to set your own price, but a lot of walkers like Wag over Rover because it’s a little more laid back and you’re able to advertise grooming and pet sitting services as well.
   • PetBacker is another option. The pay varies dramatically based on the services you provide, and you can make some extra cash by offering grooming or pet-sitting services. On average, expect to earn $13-16 an hour.
   • BarklyPets lets you totally set your own rates and hours, but you do need to pay a membership fee if you make over $100 a month through their app.
   • Care is a good choice if you're doing this part-time. You’ll probably earn around $11 an hour with them. You can work as much or as little as you want on this app with no up- or down-sides.
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3. 
   3
   Consider licensure or certification. Obtaining a dog handling certification would build some serious credibility with clients. Some schools, such as the Canine Club Academy, offer full-tuition scholarships. And the best agencies may even require you to obtain it, either before becoming a full-time employee or after hiring.

   • Certain academies, like DogTec, will help you in starting your own business too (if that interests you) in addition to dog handling and protocol. Their classes last 4 days and are in locations all across the US and British Columbia.
   • Check with Animal Care and Control to see if you need certification to walk certain numbers of dogs. For example, if you live in San Francisco, you need to get certified to walk 4 or more dogs.
4. 
   4
   Know the ins and outs of your city. First off, you've gotta know what your city's laws are when it comes to canines and their walkers. Some cities require dog walkers to be insured; if you're working with an agency, hopefully they took care of that for you. But if you're thinking about doing it on your own time, it's something not to be taken lightly.

   • Get to know your city's layout, too. The less you're driving around wasting money on gas, the better. Know the parks, the hidden hideaway spots, the dog parks, and back trails you can frolic with your new furry friend. You want to spend as little time commuting and as much time "working" as possible.
5. 
   5
   Get in good with your human clients. It may seem like dog walking is the perfect career for a surefire introvert, but the humans are where your bread and butter is. Make small chat with the doormen, the guy who works from home, and your coworkers and bosses. The better rep you have, the more professional contacts you'll have in the future.

   • In addition, realize that your human clients will have all sorts of expectations, based on their own beliefs in dog-care and often with a dose of guilt that they can't spare the time to do what you are doing for them. Be generous in your compassion for their concerns (after all, they know their own pooch best) and be tolerant of the more difficult requests. Gentle persuasion and negotiation will often win the human client over!
6. 
   6
   Love and understand your canine clients. You need to love dogs to have a successful career with dogs. It is as simple as that. Dogs sense non-dog people and it won't be smooth riding if you aren't truly comfortable around them. There are some important considerations to think about:

   • Do you know as much as possible about dogs? Know as much as you can, not just from your own experience with them but also from reading and speaking to the owners and to your local vet.
   • How many dogs will you walk at any one time? Some dog-walkers can walk as many as ten dogs at once, all shapes and sizes. Consider whether you think this is a good thing or even achievable for you!
   • Do you know which breeds of dogs might not be compatible or will be compatible with one another? Know this before teaming them up for a walk.
   • Do you know what to do if a dog is in heat? It'll attract more than its fair share of attention and you'll need to be prepared.
   • Do you know how to handle a dog that suddenly turns aggressive on you? Or on passers-by around you?
   • Do you know how to poop-scoop? Do you know the local by-laws on walking dogs in certain areas etc? Read up! Your being well-informed will impress clients and will reassure them that you are not amateur and will help them to feel you are going to have their dog's best interests at heart.
7. 
   7
   Be able to withstand the not-so-glamorous side of dog walking. While it may sound like a dream come true (and it very well could be), not all dog walking is a glitzy, paid way to gallivant the sidewalks. You'll be dealing with poo in its very literal sense, in addition to ornery owners, ornery dogs, and ornery pedestrians. Are you ready?

   • You'll also need to consider your climate. If this is going to be your main source of income, can you dog walk in the winter months? How do you feel about rain? If you're ready to tackle the less than stellar climes, be prepared! Boots, rain jacket, snow gear -- and maybe some for the pooch, too.
8. 
   8
   Get in shape. Being relatively fit is obviously a necessity to dog walking for a living. If you find that you get tired after a dog or two, use your free time to get in shape. Adding cardio (swimming, walking, tennis) to your list of activities will make the hours spent trotting along with Fido much more enjoyable.

   • Get a good pair of shoes. When you're on the job, you'll probably be on your feet for hours on end. You don't have to go running triathlons to get accustomed to it, but it is a good idea to get a nice pair of shoes so you don't go home every night crawling on all fours like FrouFrou over here. A decent pair will make the new physical stressors much more manageable.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Starting Your Own Business

1. 
   1
   Consider how large you want your dog walking career to be. Be realistic - you'll probably need to start small, and allow yourself time to grow. Do you want it to be a part-time or a full-time career? How much time can you devote to dog-walking? If you are young and want to make money by dog walking, make flyers and offer around your neighborhood, or put up notices on notice boards or in shop windows. For example, consider these scenarios:

   • If you are a student who needs income during studies, you will have crunch times around exams and essay due dates but you will likely be fairly flexible during the rest of the time. Be honest with a potential client and explain your availability, including the possibility that there may be certain times when you will be very busy and may need to reschedule temporarily at such times. Always let them know you'll make up for it during vacation etc.
   • If you want to start a permanent business, consider whether it is something you want to work 9 - 5 (or extended hours) 5 - 7 days a week, or is it something that only interests you part-time, say 2 - 3 days a week of a few hours here and there? These are important considerations that will either expand or limit your options and availability. More hours means more clients and a likelihood of referrals. Less hours will mean more devotion to a small corps of clients and a need to make it clear to them that your availability is limited to them.
   • You can make $25-35 an hour if you start a self-owned dog walking business and maintain a steady client list. You’ll need to file for a business license and get insurance if you go this route, but it’s certainly worth the time and effort if you plan on doing this full-time!
2. 
   2
   Learn how to start a small business. If you have no business past, it's more than just a good idea to take some classes and get your feet wet. Enlist the help of others that have a good grasp on the endeavor, can get you through the red tape, and form a solid business plan. If you want a large business, are you prepared to manage employees and cover a larger part of the city than you could do alone? Instead of just you, you'll be taking care of an entire team. You will need to:

   • Get insurance and become bonded.
   • Interview pet sitters, check them for reliability, train them and pay them.
   • Be able to trust them to do their dog-walking according to your instructions.
   • Keep good financial records, manage a payroll system, pay taxes on business income, and manage other worker's requirements.
   • Keep a tight leash (no pun intended) on the client arrangements. As owner of the business, you should make all arrangements for dog-walking directly with clients and then provide the instructions, keys etc. to your employees. That way, if things don't work out with your dog-walker employee, you keep the client and substitute with a new employee.
3. 
   3
   Set the amount you want to charge. How you price your services will depend on the quality of your service and the length of time you have been dog-walking professionally. It will be difficult to charge higher amounts until word-of-mouth begins to boost your business and you have solid references.

   • Research the field first. What are other dog-walkers charging in your area? Ask them if they are willing to divulge information to a potential competitor. Compete fairly with them - you could undercut slightly at first to get a toehold in the business. Don't undercut viciously; after all, you want to stay in this industry, not be cold-shouldered by your fellow dog-walkers. If there is no one competing, then use the internet to get some idea of the costs for your region.
   • Don't under-charge or over-charge. Undercharging will lead some to think you are an amateur, perhaps even the local school kids looking for odd jobs. Charge a fair amount in return for good, reliable and professional services.
4. 
   4
   Print some stylish business cards. Make sure that they present a professional image and provide your contact details. Include a few short, pithy lines or words about what you offer as part of the dog-walking service. For instance:

   • Say where the dogs will be walked - for example, to the parks, on green grass, in quieter areas of the city - whatever you think dog-owners would appreciate and trust.
   • Explain what you will do with the dogs to keep them entertained and well-exercised - for example, that you are prepared to run with the dogs for exercise, that you will play ball/tug rope/fetch with the dogs etc.
   • The ways in which you will pay attention to nutritional and medical requirements of your canine charges.
5. 
   5
   Advertise. Pass around flyers or business cards to let people know about your business. Stop residents walking their dogs as you walk around, introduce yourself and offer your business card to them. Begin to network with family and friends regarding your business. Start small and let your good business spread by word-of-mouth.

   • Make sure you do not place flyers on signs, flagpoles, etc.
   • There is no harm in asking your first set of clients to refer you to their friends, colleagues, etc. If they are happy with your work, many will be happy to do this. If you've built up relationships with people from past clients (security guards, doormen, maids), they may be a potential hot bed of business, too.
   • Bid on keywords on Google's Adwords program, and purchase paid directory listings on dog walker directories and other websites. Hit up Craigslist, Facebook, and even veterinary bulletin boards.
6. 
   6
   Get a good website. The internet is increasingly becoming people's first port of call and aids them in their decision making. When choosing your domain name keep it simple by choosing a domain with relevant keywords (so your website appears on the first page of Google).

   • Consider the layout and design. First impressions count and if your website is a reflection upon your service it should depict your core values (such as friendliness and professionalism) and what you have to offer. Enhance it with images or even a video so people can get a real feel for you and your service.
   • Consider a website that allows users to book a time slot and services online. Some customers prefer to book online rather than over the phone.
     • If you don't know the first thing about making a website, odds are you know half a dozen people who do. So ask!
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Going the Extra Mile

1. 
   1
   Provide your (prospective) clients with informative resources. People looking for dog walkers have often just gotten a puppy and are looking for tips on training. New dog owners are also interested in learning about dog health, local parks, and pet organizations. If you can be a vital source of information (cue Lori Beth Denberg) for them, they'll likely keep you around.

   • Join a professional organization or two that can keep you on the up-and-up when it comes to doggy care. The International Association of Canine Professionals and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters are two good places to start. When they ask where you learned that tidbit of info from, you just respond, "Oh, you know. I've been a member of IACP for a while now."
2. 
   2
   Consider value-adding with other services. It might be worthwhile adding other dog-services to your skill set. While these additional services will also add costs and some may even require business or home-office style space, if you are seriously considering making an entire career from dogs and their care, this may be the key to a lucrative career. Consider extra services such as:

   • Dog-bathing and dog-grooming
   • Dog-sitting (either on client's premises or at yours if you have space for boarding kennels)
   • Dog-training and/or dog-listening (if you are properly qualified only)
   • Spending extra time after the walk at client's home with a dog to simply be with it, play with it, feed it etc; and
   • Dog medical attention - some owners can't stay home from work to medicate their dogs; you could be the answer.
3. 
   3
   Learn some basic dog first-aid. Ask at a local veterinary clinic for some training in basic dog first-aid (expect to pay the vet for this advice). It will help you to fix some of the little problems that you may encounter. And while you're at this, do you know the first-aid for a dog bite?

   • Your local Humane Society may be another resource you can tap into. If a veterinarian seems a bit hard to get work in with, the staff here may be a useful alternative. And you could help out pups that need love.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  Will people hire an eleven year old?

  

  Community Answer

  If you are reliable and can do the job well, of course. It may just take a little extra practice to build the trust and confidence of the dog owners who would hire you.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

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• Question

  Is it possible to become a dog walker if I am twelve?

  

  Community Answer

  Sure, some people will pay a 12-year old to be a dog walker.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 10Helpful 74
• Question

  What can I do about a reactive dog?

  

  Community Answer

  Keep your distance, stay calm, try to avoid other dogs/humans, and do not shout at or taunt the dog. You can bring a muzzle along, but be sure the owners are comfortable with their dog wearing it.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

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Tips

• Have extra leashes, collars, dog toys, dog treats, water, etc. Get a good backpack for storing extras as you walk; something that your dog clients can't reach.
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• Always make sure to get the client's advice on certain things you want to do in a walk.
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• Be sure to have a good grip on the leash.
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Warnings

• Remember this is not your dog. Take care of it like it is.
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• Always be cautious around the dogs that you are not familiar with.
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• Know your limit with the number of dogs you walk at any one time. This isn't just about you but about the dog's energy levels, personality mix, and safety.
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• Don't let the dog off the leash until you have really gotten to know them and they listen well to you. It may be useful to discuss this aspect with the owner, as well.
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• Be certain that you have good physical fitness; dog-walking can be a strenuous activity, especially with medium to large dogs.
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Things You'll Need

• Dog supplies (e.g. leash, collar, treats, etc.)
• Business cards/flyers/adverts
• Gear for all weather
• Poop bags

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